Brain Lock, Twentieth Anniversary Edition: Free Yourself from Obsessive-Compulsive Behavior

Brain Lock is a book for those that would like an overhead view of their disorder. It helped me feel a detachment from the disease, not so much by encouraging me to dissociate myself from it, but rather by describing it as part of my brain whose opinions I should feel free to ignore. With OCD, you know it isn't normal to think how you do, but you feel like there will be consequences if you ignore your compulsions or distract yourself from your obsessions. And so, we either perform our nonsensical tasks, or we spend countless hours and valuable brain cycles going through the many reasons NOT to perform said tasks. One of the major revelations of Brain Lock is that BOTH of these responses play into the hands of the disorder. Either way, you are wasting your time and becoming unbelievably stressed out and not getting any closer to being rid of the problem. Only by looking at the thoughts as foreign and allowing yourself to move on to other business can you break yourself out of the cyclical thinking ("brain lock") that plagues us. I hope that you will find, as I have, that as the years progress, the brain lock subsides, and the real you emerges. It is not a cure, and there can be relapses. Despite this, it reminds me of exercising for years and getting injured. You are put out of your routine for a while, but once you are able to get back in the gym, you are not back where you were years ago. Your strength returns, and your progress resumes. 2010 Edit: Still doing well, but I wanted to join in with those recommending cognitive behavioral therapy (and ERP, and the rest of its friends). While this book was quite effective for me, it might be because I had/have a "pure obsession" type of OCD, where the compulsions are all performed mentally. These can include scrupulosity, health concerns, and counting. Exposure therapy is the gold standard for OCD (and phobias, and any disorder where there is an irrational anxiety/fear/disgust response that the brain fails to extinguish). This book has clearly worked for those with overt compulsions (checking, hoarding, cleaning), but I no longer consider it the first choice for such problems. This book does, indeed, recommend its own type of avoidance strategies. That said, the four steps encouraged me to refuse to engage in my mental rituals, accepting the concomitant distress as irrational and dismissible. In other words, this can be very effective exposure and acceptance therapy for pure obsession types of OCD.

After years of psychotherapy and countless medication changes I found it a losing battle that seemed to have no end. My psychiatrist had moved out of town and I was assigned a new psychiatrist. At our first meeting she suggested I sounded like I had OCD. Being that everyone claims to have OCD I was initially thinking "oh great another meaningless diagnosis". She then referred me to a specialist that treats OCD. The specialist recommended this book to me along with the OCD Workbook. As soon as I opened this book up I saw that 99% of my problem was in-fact OCD. I have what is called "Pure-O". It means that all of the compulsions and obsessions go on in my head. I dont need to constantly touch things or do rituals other than ones I do in my head like saying repeated mantras. This simple fact freed me from many of my outlandish obsessions almost immediately! The more subtle ones, however do persist. Realizing that OCD is a physiological and not just a psychological disorder is also empowering. This book gives 4 simple to understand and perform new rituals that in time actually rewire the brain to some extent. I may never be totally free from OCD, but I will be able to better manage its ravaging nature, and to me makes this one of the best books I have ever read.

This book has been very insightful. I haven't applied the four steps yet, but you don't have to finish the book to begin. Each step works alone, but only the four together will provide the actual self-treatment. I like how they focus so much on the science - it really validates the book and motivates the reader to understand that OCD is purely a chemical issue, it is not their fault, and there is hope for a better quality of life. I'm about half-way through the book. I bought it because I suffer from retroactive jealousy. I feel the worst is behind me because: I'm mindful that this problem is internal and is not anyone's fault, I sought out professional help in the form of weekly psychotherapy sessions (an experience that will be serendipitous for all that seek it), by studying these kinds of behaviors and really wanting my relationship to work out. It takes work, but you will grow personally because of it. Be patient. My favorite line from the book so far: "It's not what you feel that matters, but what you do." I would say don't expect this book to solve all your lives problem, but I would definitely recommend this book because it opens your eyes to so many things about OCD and life in general. Good read!

Un capolavoro, in grado di aiutare chiunque soffra di OCD. Anche se in certi casi non può sostituire il medico, rimane pur sempre di grande aiuto per il paziente, quando si trova ad affrontare la sua malattia in solitudine. In ogni caso, può funzionare come integrazione alla terapia del medico curante.

Ajuda em todas as questões mentais. Todo mundo deveria ler. Tanto para quem tem TOC, quanto para outras questões mentais.

I never write reviews but this book deserves one. I've been struggling with OCD as long as I can remember. Lately, it has gotten worse so I wanted to take action and do something about it. Just a few chapters into the book, I started applying the framework just a little bit and already saw great improvement after a few times. My OCD or the urges have already decreased dramatically and it has opened a whole new understanding of OCD, what it is and how I can treat it myself. It's been a true eye opener for me and I will continue to use these steps on a daily basis. I am positive that this will treat my OCD. Of course, it's no quick fix but it's a must read for anyone who suffers from this! 100% recommended.

I think that this book is really helpful for those who think they may have OCD. It explains the why, how and how to cope. I have it 4 stars because there is a lot of repetition which is a little annoying, the same information could have been written in 1/4 the amount of pages. However, it may be necessary for some people to read the same thing again and again. I actually found it comforting after awhile.

My Psychiatrist recommended I read this to help with OCD. What a great book- stick with the process and help free yourself from this terrible disease.